Hajj

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Origins of Hajj

Hajj means pilgrimage - a journey made for a religious reason. The fifth pillar of Sunni Islam is Hajj.

When does Hajj happen?

Hajj should be made at least once in life, but if finances allow it can be made many times.
Some wealthy members in a community might sponsor less wealthy members.
It occurs during the final month of the Islamic calendar Dhul-Hijjah.
Between the 8th-12th, around 3 million people take this journey.

Where Hajj began

Ibrahim was commanded by Allah to take his son Ishmael and his wife Hajira to Arabia, and leave them there with bread and water.
After a few days, Hajira ran up and down two hills (Safa and Marwah) looking for help.
Hajira prayed to Allah for help.
Ishmael kicked the ground and water spurted out of the ground - Mecca developed around this water source.

The first Hajj

When Ibrahim came back to collect his wife and child, Allah commanded him to build a monument to him.
Ibrahim built the Ka’aba which became a place of worship and the destination of the Hajj pilgrimage.
When Muhammad came back from Medina to Mecca he destroyed the idols that he been placed at the Ka'aba.
That journey back to Mecca is viewed as the first Hajj.

Preparing for Hajj

Before Hajj, Muslims must purify themselves through ritual washing, prayer, and wearing special Ihram clothing.
Men wear two sheets of white clothing (as a sign of purity).
Women have strict modesty laws, so they wear clothes of one colour that cover their bodies.

Purpose of Hajj

Hajj is transformative.
Followers have quality time to build a stronger relationship with Allah.
They become more humble and less obsessed with material comforts.
They develop self discipline and connects them to Ibrahim and the sacrifices he made for Allah.

The Hajj Journey

Hajj starts in Mecca, where Muhammad was born and lived until he fled. It ends in Mecca.

The Ka'aba during Hajj

The Ka’aba is circled anti-clockwise seven times.
Muslims try and touch the black stone as they walk around. Some believe this stone came from the original Ka’aba built by Ibrahim.
As they go around they say a short prayer: “here I am, oh lord, at your service. Praise and blessings to you”.

The Hills during Hajj

Next is a walk between the two hills (Safa and Marwah) that featured in the Ibrahim story - this is done seven times. They walk this circuit seven times.
Pilgrims collect water from the well of Zamzam.

Mina

There is a 13-mile walk or ride to Arafat with a night stop over at Mina.
During the night, they pray and read the Qur'an as preparation for the next day’s rituals.
At Mina, there are three walls of stone which represent the temptation and the devil.
On day 10 the stones are thrown at the walls which symbolises rejection of the devil and temptations.

Arafat

Arafat is the site of Muhammad’s last sermon.
Pilgrims believe that whoever completes standing the whole afternoon at Arafat will have their sins forgiven.

Eid al-Adha

After descending from Arafat, there is the Eid al-Adha festival.
An animal is sacrificed. One-third of the meat is given to the poor.
Men shave their heads and women cut a small bit of hair.

Final Part of Hajj

Pilgrims return to Mecca and walk around the Ka-aba seven more times.
They return to Mina for two nights reflecting on the experience and thinking about Allah.
If they have time, pilgrims will travel to Medina and visit the Prophet’s Mosque (Al-Masjid an Nabawi).

1Buddhism

2Christianity

2.1Key Beliefs

2.1.1The Nature of God

2.1.2The Problem of Evil

2.1.3Monotheism

2.1.4Creation

2.1.5Bible Accounts of Creation

2.1.6The Trinity and Creation

2.1.7Afterlife

2.1.8Heaven and Hell

2.1.9The Influence of Afterlife on Life

2.1.10End of Topic Test - Christianity Key Beliefs

2.1.11Exam-Style Questions - Christian Beliefs

2.2Jesus Christ & Salvation

2.2.1The Incarnation

2.2.2Jesus - Divine & Human

2.2.3The Crucifixion

2.2.4Jesus' Betrayal

2.2.5Resurrection & Ascension

2.2.6Sin

2.2.7Original Sin

2.2.8Punishment

2.2.9The Means of Salvation

2.2.10Achieving Salvation

2.2.11Disagreements About Salvation

2.2.12The Role of Christ in Salvation

2.2.13Theories of Salvation

2.2.14End of Topic Test - Jesus Christ & Salvation

2.3Worship & Festivals

2.3.1Different Forms of Worship

2.3.2Prayer

2.3.3Sacrament

2.3.4Baptism

2.3.5Other Sacraments

2.3.6Eucharist

2.3.7Pilgrimage & Celebrations

2.3.8Christmas & Easter

2.3.9End of Topic Test - Worship and Festivals

2.4Community

2.4.1Local Community

2.4.2Mission, Evangelism & Church Growth

2.4.3Worldwide Church

2.4.4Reconciliation

2.4.5Persecution

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2.4.8Exam-Style Questions - Christian Practices

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